Method of accelerating the action of breathing cartridges filled with peroxide



Patented Apr. 5, 1932 PATENT OFFICE PEROXIDE No Drawing. Application filed October 26, 1929, Serial No. 402,811, and in Germany November 7, 1928.

Closed respirators, in which the generation of oxygen is effected chemically by means of sodium peroxide or similar agents, are not as eflective as those using compressed oxygen, since the generation of oxygen does not at once start with full power in order to supply the necessary quantity thereof requlred by the bearer of the apparatus. With the filling chemicals employed in the most recent practice, the said starting period is reduced to a minimum, but even in the most favorable case the generation of oxygen will not be sufiicient to meet a heavy demand immediately after attachment of the appliance. In addition, for the preliminary filling of the breathing bag or respirator the user will have to take a few breaths of atmospheric air through the apparatus before the generation of oxygen will begin, and these preliminary inhalations of atmospheric air may give rise to trouble in the case of a sudden gas alarm.

For this reason there has been a return recently to the expedient of using a small auxiliary source of oxygen, where a few litres of oxygen are either drawn from a small compressed gas flask or generated chemically in a special device. This quantity of oxygen is designed to help the bearer of the apparatus during the initial period before the main apparatus produces oxygen in normal amount. The auxiliary source of oxygen producing the oxygen chemically, is comparatively voluminous and expensive. On the other hand apparatus with compressed oxygen contained in a small flask will require a cylinder tested under high pressure and necessitate the use of refilling devices and spare flasks for the oxygen. Besides, it will be understood that this auxiliary oxygen will not effect the desired starting of the cartridge, but will simply tide the wearer of the apparatus over the initial period during which the generation of oxygen in the main apparatus is in-suflicient.

The solution of the problem of causing the mass of peroxide contained in the cartridge proper to deliver at once a suflicient quantity of oxygen, has been attempted, but always on the principle of commencing the reaction by adding water, in various manners. This procedure is objectionable on account of the production of alkaline vapors causing coughingfits and rendering breathing impossible. In addition the application of water in the interior of the cartridge will increase the danger of agglomeration to such a degree that cartridges of this design were never adapted for practical use.

The inconveniences referred to above are overcome according to the invention by the addition of a. few litres of carbon dioxide to the cartridge preferably through the breathing bag, the instantaneous start of the chemical reaction in the said cartridge being thus effected. Owing to the strong absorptive power of the cartridge for carbon dioxide the latter will not pass into the breathing organs but will react with the peroxide to form soda, oxygen being set free. At the same time there will occur a considerable heating of the cartridge, which fact will greatly facilitate the subsequent action of the said cartridge. The quantity of carbon dioxide required for such tained through a chemical reaction, for instance from ordinary el'iervescent powder or in any other suitable way. In the event of employing a small storage cylinder for compressed carbon dioxide, I secure the advantage of reduced weight as compared with an oxygen cylinder. In contradistinction to compressed oxygen, carbon dioxide may be obtained almost anywhere, for instance from any soda-fountain.

ther gaseous volatile acids may be employed for the purpose of my invention with the same success.

I claim:

1. Method of accelerating the starting of breathing cartridges containing material adapted to generate oxygen upon contact with carbon dioxide, which consists in bringing into contact with such cartridges, an amount of carbon dioxide suflicient to cause the reaction between said gas and the cartridge material, and the resulting evolution of free oxygen, to begin immediately upon such contact.

2. Method of accelerating the starting of breathing cartridges containing material adapted to generate oxygen upon contact with air exhaled by a person, which consists in bringing into contact with such cartridges,

: an amount of carbon dioxide sufficient to cause the reaction between said carbon dioxide and the cartridge material, and the resulting evolution of free oxygen, to begin immediately upon such contact.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ULRICH MULLER. 

